Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
CHESTER CO. GIRL CELEBRATES HER 7TH BIRTHDAY IN STYLE
Also benefits her sisters
Amelia Nelson of Parkesburg, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, will be celebrating her 7th birthday on Feb. 26. She will receive a special package filled with an Under Armour drawing string bag and other treats for her birthday thanks to the Casey Cares Foundation.
Amelia’s will be Casey Cares’ 116th birthday celebrated in 2023.
Casey Cares provides free ongoing, uplifting programs to critically ill children and their families. After joining Casey Cares in 2019, Amelia’s favorite activity has been going to a Princess Ball and watching Disney On Ice.
The Nelson family was introduced to Casey Cares via the family’s two oldest daughters Isabella and Evangelina. Her older sister, Isabella, was the first to join Casey Cares in 2017 after being diagnosed with lymphoma; she is now an alumni patient of the program.
Evangelina, the middle child, was then diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and also joined Casey Cares; she loved going to Jurassic Quest and Monster Jam.
“When I was pregnant with Amelia, Casey Cares gave us a weekend away as a family to Ocean City, Maryland and it was such a blessing. The family time was much appreciated,” states Amelia’s mother Melissa.
Melissa appreciates how Casey Cares has provided “so much joy to so many families.”
“I love the events when all the families are invited and you can see how many people are being impacted by Casey Cares. We enjoy seeing all the happiness that Casey Cares brings to chronically ill kids,” she continues.
Melissa acknowledges the challenges that arise as a parent of three critically ill children.
She states, “Financial strains are a big one! Also, with all the illnesses going around, COVID, RSV and flu, trying to keep your child safe since these illnesses have a greater chance of negative impact on a child with a pre-existing medical condition.”
Diagnosed during a standard heel prick during her birth screening, Amelia knows she has cystic fibrosis but “doesn’t understand the disease or real
ize that she is chronically ill,” Melissa says.
Melissa adds that since her diagnosis, she has seen Amelia maintain a better activity level in terms of progression.
She adds, “Amelia is caring and loves making new friends. She is very social and being around people.
Casey Cares knows that for a critically ill child, each birthday is a special milestone celebrating life. Casey Cares staff and volunteers work hard to send out each of our kids a special birthday package through our Birthday Blast program — we send over 1,000 a year. This simple act of kindness delivers joy and hope to our kids who are undergoing treatment.
Since Casey Cares began counting in 2001, Casey Cares has given over 10,000 birthday packages to kids.
“Our birthday program is especially important to us because we know how critical each birthday is to children who are fighting for their lives every day,” says Casey Cares Founder and Executive Director Casey Baynes.